local
20 years after his wife fell to her death in Utah, a youth pastor’s story unravels
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 12, 2026
· 13 min read
By Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN
(CNN) — Richard Gudenkauf walked his daughter down the aisle in September 1996 with a frown on his face.
The bride, Bernadette, was a vision in her white dress and matching pearls, big doe eyes peering out from behind her veil. Her mother, Laura Gudenkauf, watched h...
Key takeaway Her mother, Laura Gudenkauf, watched her daughter glowing, happy to finally be marrying the man she had met years earlier during a theater production at church.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The unraveling of David Vander Meer's story has implications for El Paso 's faith community, where trust and accountability are paramount. As a youth pastor, Vander Meer held a position of influence and authority, and his actions may have affected not only his family but also the teenagers in his care. The fact that he led a youth group and had close relationships with his members raises questions about the oversight and supervision of religious leaders in our community. El Pasoans may be wondering what measures are in place to prevent similar situations and how local churches and organizations ensure the well-being and safety of their members, particularly vulnerable populations like teenagers and those with special needs. The community will be watching to see how this story unfolds and what lessons can be learned from it.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 13 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN
(CNN) — Richard Gudenkauf walked his daughter down the aisle in September 1996 with a frown on his face.
The bride, Bernadette, was a vision in her white dress and matching pearls, big doe eyes peering out from behind her veil. Her mother, Laura Gudenkauf, watched h...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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